Match Report

Royston Ladies played their first ever proper match on Sunday on a blustery Royston Heath.
Excitement was high and after a presentation of the new playing shirts with Sponsor Toby Snowdon of the Heath Sports Club the ladies ran out in front of a large and vocal crowd against an experienced outfit in West Norfolk ladies.

Captain Laura Macgillivray chose to play into the elements and let West Norfolk kick off.
Royston gathered well through Charlotte Willett and set up good phase ball, Vicki Green and Liz McLean cleared the ruck and scrum half Elly Mead fed the ball to the onrushing Diana Tanton which set the tone for an excellent performance much to the delight of the crowd and coaches.

Royston learned a number of things from the game and can take a huge amount of positives, the first being their scrum was awesome, the power and technique of Bernie Love often had Royston’s scrums going forward at a great rate, the midfield tenacity of Katie Illsley-Wilkins was a sight to behold as she threw herself at anything not in crows colours with a sense of abandon. The control and leadership of Beth Tobutt gave Royston some real attacking impetus. The ball carrying Glamazon Hannah Paradis put fear in the heart of the west Norfolk side and she made huge yardage to give the half backs excellent controlled ball to attack off. The work rate of the second rows Vicki Green and Laura Macgillivray who put in tackle after tackle as well clearing multiple break downs.

Royston Free running back rows – Liz McLean, Charlotte Willet and Kirsty Stork all linked well with the backs and all made clean breaks in open play. Heidi Rowe showed excellent sleight of hand with her passing and her defence was rock solid in her channel.

Royston’s line out went well with Hooker Diana Tanton throwing accurately and jumper Victoria Hulström dominating the sky line with a series of excellent takes which allowed scrum half Elly Mead the time to pick out perfect passes consistently.

There was a first outing for new recruit Sian Kier who introduced herself to the team with a stunning tackle on her opposite number. Elspeth Davies showed fantastic discipline to hold her position and used what ball she got to great effect, her bravery and intelligence in defence shows the heart and determination of a true rugby player. Royston also saw the pace of Elsa Sanchez on the wing who showed if given a bit more space and time could be a try machine for the ever improving ladies.

Ultimately Royston lost the game to a good side who used their pace and kicking game well, a try would have been nice but the focus of playing patterns well, going through the dead ball routines of scrum and line out, organising midfield defence and winning break downs were all hugely successful and ultimately Rugby was the winner.